A plan to expand The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks by 130,000 square feet was introduced to the public last week. Randy Brant, senior vice president of development for Macerich, owner of the shopping center, said construction would be complete by the fall of 2008.

Brant addressed two public forums last week on the proposed renovations, one at Los Robles Greens and one at Hyatt Westlake Plaza. The purpose of the meetings was to inform the public and get feedback. The final session is planned for 7:30 p.m. tonight, Thurs., March 30 at the North Ranch Community Center on Westlake Boulevard. The planning commission and city council will soon consider the Macerich plan.

The expansion and renovation would include a Nordstrom store, a cineplex with 14 screens, four new restaurants, an outdoor shopping area, a food court and 1,250 new parking spaces.

Questions from the public arose over security, parking, landscaping and appearance. The plan calls for a 40 percent increase in trees and foliage. This was a source of concern for one citizen who worried that reduced visibility might lead to increased crime, but Brant promised that the mall would be safer than ever.

"The safety of our visitors is a number one concern," Brant said. "The new Oaks will possess safety cameras, security patrols and completely revamped lighting for all parking areas."

The plan would preserve as many oak trees as possible, he said.

The Oaks would get a facelift from the renovation. Fountains, stone floors and benches would be added. An emphasis would be placed on natural lighting.

Although there were no specifics on the new restaurants, Brant cited steakhouses, sportsthemed dining and ethnic or seafood eateries as possibilities. Two existing restaurants, Cheesecake Factory and Sisley, would be enlarged and include more outdoor seating.

Parking, a perennial problem at The Oaks during the peak holiday-shopping-season, was discussed in depth. The new parking would include a decked structure.

Senior citizens seemed to be pleased about the addition of new escalators and elevators throughout the mall.

Macerich is now conducting a traffic study with the city of Thousand Oaks to maximize the efficient flow of vehicles in and out of The Oaks.

The opinions of two residents reflected optimism about the plan.

"The greenery, new lights, architecture and promising stores will all be a nice upgrade for the community," said Angel Hernandez, a 14-year resident of Thousand Oaks.

"I think it's terrific," Sue Randolph said. Having lived here since 1967, she remembered The Oaks when it opened. "The new Oaks will be more consistent with the area. Thousand Oaks has evolved and updated, and The Oaks has failed to keep up," Randolph said. "This town will benefit from the open air concept."

If approved, construction could begin as early as next January.

In a Nutshell

The renovation and expansion of The Oaks

will include new landscaping,

a Nordstrom store, a 14-screen cineplex, a parking structure that will accommodate 1,250 vehicles,

four new restaurants and the expansion of two existing eateries.